I admit to having a fair dislike of the big brands, I would prefer to give my money to local, ethical producers and shops, but there are some items which are 100% unique and all other varieties pale in comparison. Take Heinz baked beans or tomato ketchup for example, there are many versions by many other companies (large & small) but they are simply not the same as the Heinz varieties.

Another much emulated product is Coca-cola; many have tried to match this fizzy drink but just about all have failed to produce the same taste and popularity of Coca-cola, until now maybe…

I read an article from the Guardian which made me chuckle, Coca-cola have close competition, well at least in taste, if not in power. Kate Rich and Kayle Brandon, (bar managers at the Cube Microplex, an “alternative” cinema in central Bristol), have devised their own version of Coca-cola.

Kate and Kayle oppose in principle to the business and environmental practices of the Coca-Cola corporation,  and the Cube bar has never served Coke. They have tried many alternatives but cannot ignore what their customers want. So, they decided to get around it by trying to make their own cola.

After much experimentation, trial and error, and various taste tests, they have struck liquid gold! “The initial surprise is that it really does taste like Coke. Very slightly sweeter than “the real thing” but less acidic. A satisfying, complex flavour, subtly different from the brand leader, but easily as good”.

They are now planning to send out cola mixing kits to other small bars and businesses, and have reported their progress and published their recipe online

Ok, so it’s not a huge punch for the Coca-cola giants but I love the fact these girls have worked so hard to prove their point.

First ever live WebTV broadcast from inside a distillery

Chat date: Wednesday 18th June 2008 Chat time: 8pm

From New Zealand to Sweden, New York to Sydney, thousands of you watched the live WebTV show in London and mailed in hundreds of questions to the eminent panel of distillers, connoisseurs and writers.

Now you have the chance to join in an even bigger event live from the Laphroaig distillery on the Scottish island of Islay. The distillery sits on the South coast of the island with views of both Scotland and Ireland and the show will be broadcast from inside the distillery’s original bonded warehouse number one – normally only accessible to distillery staff and customs officers.

So if you love whisky but are keen to know more about those wonderful single malts and how they are blended to taste so good we have a treat for you this evening. Master blender Robert Hicks and Distillery Manager John Campbell will host an exclusive tasting session, which includes four Laphroaig malts, the highlight being a new Quarter Cask triple wood, drawn and tasted live from a sherry cask.

They will be joined by writer Martine Nouet, Keeper of the Quaich, and if you want to know what that means you will need to join the live show to find out.

Our guests will take you through all the finer points of getting the best out of a single malt whisky, from the colour, weight and nose to the all important taste and finish. How much water, if any, should you add to your glass? What do the aromas tell you about the whisky? Which flavours and textures should you be expecting as the whisky hits your palate?

Robert Hicks, Laphroaig’s Master Blender, John Campbell, Distillery Manager, and whisky writer Martine Nouet join us live online on Wednesday 18th June at 8pm for a live whisky tasting.

Click here to submit questions before the chat

For more information visit www.Laphroaig.com/live